Who Was Responsible For Dick Hickock's Death

In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote, was a non-fictional novel published in 1965. Written in four parts, Capote meticulously details the brutal 1959 murders of the recognized farmer Herbert Clutter, Bonie Clutter, Nancy Clutter and Kenyon Clutter in the small, once peaceful, city of Holcomb, Kansas. Throughout the book, while Capote sympathetically depicts the murders of the Clutter family, we also realize that the author has a strong sympathy for one of the murders called Perry Edward Smith. Although the novel was intended to be written in a journalistic form, Capote seems to fictionalize much of the information used to write the novel in order to add suspense and certain reactions from the readers. Truman Capote’s new literary form of “the non-fictional novel” leaves the readers feeling conflicting emotions

The book In Cold Blood by Truman Capote explains and reconstructs the murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas on November 15th, 1959. The Clutter family, Herbert “Herb”, Bonnie, and two of their children Nancy and Kenyon were all killed, each with a twelve-gauge shotgun. No one knew who killed them or why the crime took place, as the family was well-liked and in high standing in their town. Truman Capote wrote this novel based on information he had gathered about the case. He begins the story with a background on the Clutter family and locks in on the actions of Richard “Dick” Hickock and Perry Smith, the perpetrators of the crime.

This quote by Capote illustrates his technique of engaging his readers by creating a fertile ground in which a story can grow. Just as a farmer manipulates the field to ensure crops grow, Capote similarly manipulates the mind of the reader. He gathers information and compiles it to present a story to the readers and then allows the reader to interpret the novel. Although some argue that In Cold Blood is simply a factual recounting of the brutal murders of the Clutter family, in reality the novel is a compilation of the varying perceptions of those involved—Capote, the towns people, law enforcement, and the reader. Despite the fact that history repeats itself, cultural influences are always changing thus causing the murder to be interpreted

“In cold blood” was a mysterious yet revealing book about a murder that took place in Holcomb, Kansas. Holcomb was a peaceful town where people were structured and accustomed to the norm. The beginning of the story gives a detailed description of a family called the Clutters. Who were later murdered in their home by Dick and Perry, two men with a criminal record in search of a big score. The family consisted of six people, Mr. Clutter a forty eight year old man who was well known and educated in agriculture.

The shocking murder of the Clutter family caught the nation’s attention, especially world-renowned American author, Truman Capote. Capote tells the story of the infamous crime in his world novel, In Cold Blood. The story is told as a sense of literature, more than just stating the events that happened such a documentary style. Capote referred to his masterpiece as “New Literature” as a way to captivate the audience with his way of writing about a true story in a story-telling manor. Capote spent years of research, analysis, and evidence to compose the novel in a way that would get readers interested and dig deeper into the crime itself and the minds of the criminals behind it.

The book is divided into four parts, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the case. Part I, "The Last to See Them Alive," provides background information on the victims and the crime. Part II, "Persons Unknown," details the investigation and arrest of the suspects. Part III, "An Asteroid in Human Form," examines the trial and conviction of the men. Part IV, "The Corner," covers the final days leading up to the execution of Smith and Hickock.

In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote, epitomizes the varying sentiments associated with the murder of the Clutter family; these emotions range from shock, to grief, to pride, and everything in between. However, through Capote’s specialized descriptions about each character, the relationships between their feelings and their actions become further elucidated. As a result, the readers begin to feel sympathy for the victims, their friends and family, the investigators, and even those who brutally murdered an innocent family. In order to create this connection, he utilizes the rhetoric device of pathos to strengthen the audience’s ability to sympathize.

In Cold Blood is a nonfiction novel by Truman Capote, first published in 1966. The book’s content narrates the account of the savage killing of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, in 1959. Capote spent six years researching and interviewing the people involved in the case, and the resulting book is a detailed account of the crime and its aftermath, as well as a portrait of the two killers, Richard “Dick” Hickock and Perry Smith. “It seems that for Capote the American society has always been intrigued by the phenomenon of crime, the mystery surrounding it, as well as the suspense connected with crime stories” (Wróbel 8). Capote effectively establishes a sense of intimacy with the characters and their motives through his immersive and descriptive

In Cold Blood Rhetorical Analysis Typically upon hearing about a murder, especially a brutal and unwarranted one, we find ourselves feeling a great sense of disgust for the murderer or murderers who committed these crimes; however, in Truman Capote’s novel In Cold Blood, the lives and experiences of the murderers, particularly Perry Smith, are displayed in a way the makes you feel pity for him as well as the victims. When comparing Capote’s Novel to a typical news article on a similar topic it is easy to see the that Capote's style varies from typical journalism. An article written by Frances Robles and Nikita Stewart titled “Dylan Roof’s Past Reveals Trouble at Home and School,” discusses the childhood and background of Dylann Roof, a twenty-one

How crazy would it be to interview criminals who murdered 4 people in cold blood? Well that’s exactly what Truman Capote did in this chilling book. In the novel In Cold Blood, Truman Capote used different rhetorical strategies to create sympathy and influence the idea that there are always two sides to every story. Some of the mainly used rhetorical strategies throughout the novel were imagery, diction, tone, and pathos. Furthermore, Capote also illustrated sympathetical emotion towards both types of characters, the protagonists and antagonists.

Facts and Fiction: A Manipulation of Language in Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood English is a fascinating and riveting language. Subtle nuances and adjustments can easily change the understanding of a literary work—a technique many authors employ in order to evoke a desired response from their readers. This method is used especially in In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, a literary work which details a true event about the murders of four members of the Clutter family in the small community of Holcomb, Kansas, in 1959. Although Capote’s 1966 book was a bestseller nonfiction and had successfully garnered acclaim for its author, there is still a great deal of confusion about the distinction between the factual and fictional aspects in the book.

Perry wasn’t just included in the plan, he was hand-picked by Dick. Dick believed that Perry had the killer mentality that was necessary to kill the Clutters’. Dick was very opportunistic towards Perry and wanted to use him. By using Perry, Dick proves that he is a manipulator who is also the mastermind behind the plan. The situation of Dick and Perry is comparable to the situation that had occurred twenty years prior to the Clutter family murder.

Gavin Lettau Mrs. Koshollek 01/26/2023 2nd Hour CAPP English In Cold Blood and its use of rhetorical devices Within the small town of Holcomb Kansas, despite its prowess for being a rural midwestern town known for the acres of peaceful fields and grazing animals This however had fallen into disarray upon the discovery of the current mortality of the Clutter family household. Truman Capote exemplifies the tale surrounding the crime, the investigation, and the eventual capture of the two ex-convicts responsible through the usage of mortifying imagery, descriptive environmental imagery, and theatrical foreshadowing to provide the audience a window of perspective into not only those who were responsible but also gives clarity to the victim's actions

In modern literature, suspense and tension are almost essential in producing works that are both successful and interesting to the reader. These two aspects of literature are especially important in Truman Capote's, In Cold Blood, which delineates the story of how a mere robbery attempt concludes in the death of four well-respected and affable family members. Although the reader is cognizant of various outcomes in the story beforehand, effectively retaining the reader's interest through suspense and tension. Capote particularly engenders this suspense and tension by shifting between simultaneous events, waiting to disclose the details of the murder, and suggesting fallacies in America's judicial system.

No matter how we try to change our situation or better ourselves in society, variables will obstruct the path we choose. One cannot take control of everything that surrounds us as fate decides what happens to us. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote explains the murder of the Clutter family in the quiet town of Holcomb, Kansas. The murderers, Richard (Dick) Hickock and Perry Smith, try to escape the consequences of their actions, believing that they can get away with what they did. The story tells what the murderers were thinking after and before they committed the crime and their various interactions.